MLB Player News

Mikolas is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Carson Palmquist during Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

The Nationals will likely let the left-handed Palmquist cover the first inning or two, sparing the right-handed Mikolas from at least one matchup with left-handed hitters Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber (back), both of whom typically occupy top-three spots in the order. Working as a bulk reliever for his turns through the rotation is nothing new for Mikolas, who has started in just six of his 16 appearances so far this season. As a reliever, Mikolas has turned in a 4.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 8.8 K-BB% over 49 innings, with all of those ratios being markedly better than what he's provided as a starter.

The Rockies placed Hill on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder tendinitis.

It's unclear how long Hill's shoulder has been bothering him. He's notched saves in two of his last three outings but has had a rough June overall, allowing nine runs with a 5:8 K:BB over six innings covering nine appearances. Hill will be eligible for activation in early July, but with the nature of the injury, he could require additional down time.

The Rockies recalled Halvorsen from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Colorado sent Halvorsen back to Triple-A on June 17, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the big club a week later after right-hander Jaden Hill (shoulder) was moved to the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. The Rockies will likely limit Halvorsen to lower-leverage spots during his upcoming stint in the big leagues; the reliever has posted a 3.31 ERA in 16.1 innings with Colorado this season but has walked nearly as many batters (14) as he's struck out (16).

The Cubs recalled Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Hollowell was just sent down Tuesday but returns to take the roster spot of the injured Ben Brown (neck). He will operate in a middle-relief role.

The Cubs placed Brown on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a neck strain.

Brown wasn't known to be nursing a neck issue, as he cruised to his second win in as many starts during his most recent appearance Friday against the Blue Jays. He'll be eligible to return from the IL in early July, but the Cubs haven't yet provided a timeline for Brown's activation. Brown boasts a 1.70 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 42.1 innings covering eight starts since entering the Chicago rotation.

Matsui tossed 2.1 innings in relief against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out three batters.

Matsui has gone at least two frames seven times through 18 appearances so far this season after doing so in just five instances across 61 regular-season outings last year. The shift in role has been working well for the southpaw, as he carries a 1.67 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 27 total innings. Matsui doesn't have any holds, wins or saves, which severely dents his fantasy utility, though he has been more effective at missing bats this season. The Japanese reliever has fanned at least one batter in every one of his appearances thus far, and his 29.0 percent strikeout rate is a vast improvement over his 22.4 percent mark last season.

The Cubs recalled Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Ferguson will serve as the 27th man on the Cubs' roster for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets. The righty reliever gave up one run over 1.1 innings in his lone appearance for the Cubs earlier this season. Ferguson will likely be sent back down to Iowa after the twin bill.

Fairbanks gave up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Rangers. He struck out one.

Called in to protect a 6-2 lead, Fairbanks made things interesting by serving up a two-out solo shot to Joc Pederson before hitting Wyatt Langford with a pitch and giving up an RBI triple to Brandon Nimmo. Josh Jung then nearly tied the game on a hanging slider, but instead the ball came up a couple feet short of the fence in center field for the final out. Fairbanks has had a bumpy June, posting a 5.19 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB in 8.2 innings, but he's gone a perfect 5-for-5 in save chances this month while adding a win and a hold in nine appearances.

The Marlins optioned Fulton to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Fulton's stay with the Marlins lasted just one week, with the lefty striking out three batters and allowing no hits and one walk over three scoreless innings between his two relief appearances. He'll head back to Jacksonville and will likely move back into the rotation while he gives up his spot on the Marlins' 26-man active roster to right-hander Eury Perez (gracilis), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Wednesday against the Rangers.

Iglesias (0-2) took the loss Tuesday as Atlanta fell 7-6 to the Padres, giving up an unearned run on two hits in the 10th inning. He struck out one.

The veteran closer was brought in to keep the game tied in the ninth inning and got the job done, but Iglesias couldn't prevent the phantom runner from scoring in the bottom of the 10th as Manny Machado lined a single up the middle on the first pitch he saw in the frame to bring home Jackson Merrill. Iglesias has been tagged for runs in three of his last four appearances, and over his last nine outings he's stumbled to a 3.72 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 9.2 innings. He has yet to blow a save this season, going 15-for-15, but the 36-year-old right-hander seems to be wearing down, and it will be tougher for manager Walt Weiss to find opportunities to give Iglesias some rest with Robert Suarez (forearm) not 100 percent right now.